Inflikted Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 I haven't gone out today, though I'll be going to my friends' house in a little while to hang out. My dad went out this morning to a smaller locally owned grocery/ general store, and from what he said, there were a lot of frantic people yelling and stuff, and so many empty shelves that you would think the store is going out of business. I dunno. I'm not personally "scared", but as someone with general anxiety issues, it's flaring up my anxiety just thinking about what the heck is going on in the world, both locally, and at large.
sothereiwas Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 I've got enough in the pantry for maybe 7-10 weeks, after that I'm into the emergency supplies. On the other hand, a local store still does deliveries and brought fresh veggies and a few other items (mayo, pickles, etc) without any extra drama. 1
Author gaius Posted March 14, 2020 Author Posted March 14, 2020 1 hour ago, Shining One said: In Florida, it's common for people to buy ridiculous amounts of supplies when a hurricane is nearby and then return a lot of them after the hurricane passes (please note, I don't participate in this myself). I wonder how many people will be returning toilet paper by the truckload after this passes. I've never heard of that going down in my area of Florida. Usually it just sits in the garage and gets trickled in to daily life over time. I used to take whatever bottled water we didn't use to work with me. I went to Wal-Mart a few weeks ago when everything was still there and got enough everything for 2-3 extra weeks. Up until this point they've been well stocked but today most of the soup, rice and other canned goods were cleaned out. Apparently the herd has finally realized Costco isn't the only place you can buy stuff. 1
littleblackheart Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 (edited) 50 minutes ago, Inflikted said: I'm not personally "scared", but as someone with general anxiety issues, it's flaring up my anxiety just thinking about what the heck is going on in the world, both locally, and at large. I hear you. I know for myself I was a lot more casual about it a couple of weeks ago it than I am now. I'm a lot more affected by mass hysteria / panic buying and the misinformation about the virus that is circulating than by the virus itself (that's how my brain works, I need to rationalise) but for sure you need to adapt to how the situation is evolving. It makes complete sense to act with consideration and try and support the most vulnerable / frontline staff as best we can. Honestly, chances are 'we' as a whole will get through it. It's difficult to make sense of it all atm for lack of information (because it's still so new), but a lot of it is out of our hands. We can still live 'normal lives' - as in, those of us lucky enough not to be at risk don't have to be cooped up indoors 24/7, and as long as we follow WHO guidelines, this should be ok. The real issues are for those who are being laid off or can't afford to buy food while some many are stockpiling without thought, or those seriously ill or at risk. Edited March 14, 2020 by littleblackheart 3
sothereiwas Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 Well, suddenly I find myself "impacted" by this hoarding BS; my quarterly Amazon subscribe and save for 3x 121 bottles of bleach is delayed because reasons. So I'll have to stretch my last bottle a bit. I guess we live in a world where everyone just gets the routine things they need at the last minute or something. Planning? Overrated! All I want is my towels to continue to smell faintly of Clorox, people, is that such a big ask? No wonder survival horror and prepper shows are popular.
carhill Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 Need a drink to soothe stress? https://sfist.com/2020/03/14/sf-bars-with-capacity-over-100-ordered-to-close-for-seven-weeks-restaurants-told-to-limit-capacity/
carhill Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 12 minutes ago, sothereiwas said: my quarterly Amazon subscribe and save for 3x 121 bottles of bleach is delayed because reasons. yep, monthly SPAM with jalapeno canceled last week. M&M's, re-fried beans, and pretzels that's it out of hundreds of past items. Pantry is dead Item disclaimer: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/pantry/abbout/PSA_mock_1500x50._CB1583350110_.png
Libby1 Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 Well, if my prepping for quarantine/food supplies doesn't work out then there's always plan B. Prepping for summer with the intermittent fasting. I could do with losing a pound or 20. Less toilet roll usage too. 4
sothereiwas Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 Also, wife was a tiny bit on my case for preemptively pulling the kidlet out of school last week (I figure if there's ONE place a virus is going to spread ...) but now that school is officially cancelled the rest of the month she's sort of upped her estimate of my value to the family. I probably get to stay on the island after all. 3
major_merrick Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, RecentChange said: Our governor has made price gouging of essentials during this time a crime. Entrepreneur - I call them a bottom feeder? Meh. It is to be expected - just part of having a free market. And really, even if they call it a crime....who's going to enforce it? And how will they prosecute it? Pretty silly overall. Personally, I think the people who buy things at the store and then price-gouge are likely to be left with a whole pile of merchandise they can't use. Some may make a little profit, but overall it is a poor and unoriginal plan from people with small minds. For me, this whole virus thing has reinforced the reasoning behind why my community, my family, and I live the way we do. While others are panic buying, we already have all the toilet paper and basic foods we need. Plenty of herbs and medicines, water, fuel, etc... We don't have to go out and be part of the problem. Buy a few luxury items that might go out of stock, and then relax and continue business as usual. We don't do the "doomsday prepper" thing...the zombie apocalypse is not coming. But everyday bumps in the road like this one? I like having more peace of mind than average. Edited March 14, 2020 by major_merrick
elaine567 Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 5 minutes ago, major_merrick said: And really, even if they call it a crime....who's going to enforce it? Price gouging hotline set up. 2
carhill Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 Better yet: Quote California law defines petty theft as the theft of any property with a value of $950 or less. Most petty thefts are charged as misdemeanors. Petty theft is a misdemeanor if the theft is a result of the shoplifting offense and the offender has no prior criminal record, or if the value of the stolen property is $950 or less. The fog of Corona 6 minutes ago, major_merrick said: I think the people who buy things at the store and then price-gouge are likely to be left with a whole pile of merchandise they can't use.
some_username1 Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 3 hours ago, littleblackheart said: I hear you. I know for myself I was a lot more casual about it a couple of weeks ago it than I am now. I'm a lot more affected by mass hysteria / panic buying and the misinformation about the virus that is circulating than by the virus itself (that's how my brain works, I need to rationalise) but for sure you need to adapt to how the situation is evolving. It makes complete sense to act with consideration and try and support the most vulnerable / frontline staff as best we can. Honestly, chances are 'we' as a whole will get through it. It's difficult to make sense of it all atm for lack of information (because it's still so new), but a lot of it is out of our hands. We can still live 'normal lives' - as in, those of us lucky enough not to be at risk don't have to be cooped up indoors 24/7, and as long as we follow WHO guidelines, this should be ok. The real issues are for those who are being laid off or can't afford to buy food while some many are stockpiling without thought, or those seriously ill or at risk. Imo, the virus itself is going to end up playing second fiddle to the panic and economic damage that is caused by the (Over) reaction to it. That’s what worries me. There will be tragic loss of life, unfortunately that is unavoidable to a degree. But what is the landscape going to look like afterwards? People are going to lose their jobs, perhaps their homes and every day supplies could end up becoming scarce due to idiots panicking. At times like this we should all be urged to take a leaf out matey in pulp fictions book and think to themselves “Bitch, be cool!” but the equity speculators aren’t being cool and that could lead to a loss of jobs long term to bring share prices back up and the public aren’t being cool because we are seeing citizens of a first world country fight over toilet paper, a highly irrelevant commodity (which points to a total lack of education and sense). So as calm and rational as I try to be I’m starting to become concerned about how all this will play out long term mainly because I feel I have a good understanding of human nature and as such I do not trust my fellow man to do what is right for everyone, rather than what is right for themselves. 4
FMW Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 I went to the grocery store yesterday for the first time in over a week. Ridiculous lines, empty shelves. So annoying. I actually needed a regular supply of toilet paper and got stuck paying way more than normal for the limited stock they had. Got one of the last few bottles of bleach (also part of my normal supply), and there was absolutely no spray disinfectants of any kind. After waiting in line for 45 minutes to check out and then pushing my cart to the very back of the lot where I had found one of the few empty spots, a local reporter and cameraman came up and interviewed me, they weren't allowed in the stores because it was so packed. I normally would have said no thanks, but was so annoyed by that point I agreed to speak on camera. I'm not sure they got the panic they were looking for from me, but they certainly got the annoyance I was feeling over the situation! Was just notified today that at work we are now working on/off days in the office or remotely. So good news I guess, I get to work in my jammies next week for three days. Not sure how effective alternating the number of employees in the office will be though. We have over 5000 people in our location.
Ellener Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 4 hours ago, Inflikted said: I haven't gone out today, though I'll be going to my friends' house in a little while to hang out. My dad went out this morning to a smaller locally owned grocery/ general store, and from what he said, there were a lot of frantic people yelling and stuff, and so many empty shelves that you would think the store is going out of business. I dunno. I'm not personally "scared", but as someone with general anxiety issues, it's flaring up my anxiety just thinking about what the heck is going on in the world, both locally, and at large. I've started tuning a lot of it out, the sensationalist stuff. I'm working every day and the cat in my new shared house is ill and making a lot of mess with the owner away...so been too busy for anxiety. But I am carrying the beta blockers and wearing my 'snappy' bead bracelets, and walking out in nature away from everyone where possible. Hope you are ok. 2
Ellener Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 And it was one of the positives of my anxiety disorder/PTSD after Harvey that I always have bleach and hand sanitiser and use it all the time. I quipped yesterday to someone who knew me at my worst level of anxiety, when I couldn't eat food or touch surfaces etc: 'I'm finally recovered, now everyone else has it...!' People weren't panicking in our stores today, and there's a general sense of 'let's just get on with it' so far. The managers say new shipments are arriving daily. 1
SincereOnlineGuy Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 Now we're up to approximately SIXTY deaths from coronavirus IN ALL OF 'The Americas' . 40 of them are in ONE state in a far-flung corner. On the other hand, IF ITALY had China's population, Italy would now have 501,844 confirmed cases of coronavirus 34,180 deaths from coronavirus 1
mark clemson Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 8 hours ago, Fletch Lives said: Did they restock the toilet paper? They DID, buuuuuuuut as soon as the store opened the first thing everyone did was rush in and grab it. Then those same people made the mistake of shopping around a bit for other things and found out they had to wait in a two hour line to actually buy the TP. That didn't sit well, so they eventually just put it back on a random shelf or in the freezer section, took their dump in aisle 13, wiped up using the free wipes available at the front of the store and went home. People...
littleblackheart Posted March 14, 2020 Posted March 14, 2020 (edited) 58 minutes ago, some_username1 said: the virus itself is going to end up playing second fiddle to the panic and economic damage that is caused by the (Over) reaction to it. That’s what worries me. There will be tragic loss of life, unfortunately that is unavoidable to a degree. But what is the landscape going to look like afterwards? I agree. To be fair, I feel some of the anxiety stems from a fundamental lack of trust that the gvt is doing right by the country. That's how I feel about the UK anyway. The 'vibe' is completely different back home in France. There seems to be more trust in the institutions, even though Macron is not really well liked at the moment (I am definitely not a fan) and even when the death toll is rising sharply. What's disconcerting, at least in the UK, is that the gvt is asking us the impossible, that is to trust that their crazy herd immunisation strategy is a winner against WHO advice, without giving any rational explanation or offering a backup plan for those in precarious situations. They are, it seems, exclusively counting on our 'community spirit' without giving anything back in return. This is a recipe for disaster, imo. My own mindset of going with the flow (ie scientific evidence + follow guidelines + common sense + no panic + consideration for others + adapting to events as they come) is much easier to follow when I feel the guy at the top has our back in case things go pear-shaped. I don't think the current PM is that guy, unfortunately. Edited March 14, 2020 by littleblackheart 2
Shining One Posted March 15, 2020 Posted March 15, 2020 6 hours ago, gaius said: I've never heard of that going down in my area of Florida. Usually it just sits in the garage and gets trickled in to daily life over time. I used to take whatever bottled water we didn't use to work with me. If I recall correctly, you're in the NW part of the state and I'm in the SE. It's pretty common down here. It's also very irritating when you need to use customer service for something, but you have a gigantic line of returns to wait for.
princessaurora Posted March 15, 2020 Posted March 15, 2020 (edited) Schools are close for 4 weeks all across La. We just got our first confimred death here and they were only 58. Of course, we hear the usual excuse about underlying health conditions, but at that age who the heck doesn't have at least one of those? Meanwhile, a-holes are partying in New Orleans and hugging and kissing all over each other like they're on extended spring break. These jerks will be the ones to spread the virus further. They need to close down the bars and clubs for this to truly be effective. Edited March 15, 2020 by princessaurora add 1
sothereiwas Posted March 15, 2020 Posted March 15, 2020 3 hours ago, major_merrick said: overall it is a poor and unoriginal plan from people with small minds. What she said.
LivingWaterPlease Posted March 15, 2020 Posted March 15, 2020 4 hours ago, carhill said: Thanks for posting this, carhill. I hadn't watched it earlier so was able to watch it in its entirety using your link.
eleanorrigby Posted March 15, 2020 Posted March 15, 2020 I love these videos of Italy getting through this crisis together. 1
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